MLB Predictions: White Sox vs Blue Jays Lines
The Toronto Blue Jays host the Chicago White Sox on Friday evening in the second game of a four-game set at the Rogers Centre. Toronto’s 7-0 win in the opener of this series was its third win in their last four games, while Chicago’s loss was its seventh in its last eight games.
Chicago White Sox (36-44) at Toronto Blue Jays (45-36)
Date: Friday, June 27, 2014
Time: 7:07 p.m. ET
Venue: Rogers Centre
City: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
O/U Odds: 9
Money Line: Toronto -154, Chicago +144
Pitching Matchup: LH John Danks (6-6, 4.34 ERA) at RH R.A. Dickey (6-6, 4.04 ERA)
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The Blue Jays were just hoping to tread water for a while after losing Jose Bautista and Brett Lawrie on Sunday, but instead, the team has played well above expectations, winning three of four, and scoring 25 runs in the process. As a team, the Jays are hitting .324 in their last four games while waiting for Bautista to return from a hamstring injury. He isn’t expected back until the weekend.
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One guy who has taken a big step forward of late has been Jose Reys, who is 9-for-15 with four sxtra-base hits and six runs in his last three games. Adam Lind is 6-for-16 with a home run and seven RBI in his last four games, while Melky Cabrera is hitting .385 with seven RBI and nine runs scored in his last 10 games.
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Now the Jays send out their ace, R.A. Dickey, on Friday as they look to clinch at least a split of this four-game series with the White Sox. Dickey’s base numbers don’t look great, but he’s been far better at home than he has been on the road.
When starting at the Rogers Centre, Dickey is 5-1 with a 3.47 ERA. When he draws the start away from home, he’s 1-5 with a 4.83 ERA.
The White Sox counter with John Danks. Danks had a good runs of starts going, allowing two earned runs or fewer in five straight outings, before getting lit up by the Twins in his last start. In that outing, Danks surrendered six runs on 10 hits in five innings of work, walking four compared with only one strikeout.
This game presents a great lesson in how base numbers for starting pitchers don’t tell the whole story. While Dickey and Danks both come into this matchup with identical 6-6 records and ERAs north of four, it’s the Blue Jays who hold a strong edge on the bump this evening.
Toronto’s hitters have also been far more potent than those of the South Siders this season. The White Sox will surely be eager to attack the baseball and get on the board after getting shut out in th series opener, and that may not be the best strategy when facing Dickey.
Additionally, both teams are sending out their ace, and while the Rogers Centre can certainly play to offenses on most nights, this looks like a night in which both sides’ bats could be quieted by some solid pitching performances.
The play: Toronto -154, Under 9
